Cycle vacuum sampler device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for automatically collecting a sample of water which is to be analyzed, the device including a vacuum pump, a collecting container for the water, and a mechanism that includes a relay operated valve, the relay being activated through a timer device so that a small quantity of water is collected approximately every 20 minutes so that after a 24 hour period a complete water sample for analysis has been obtained showing characteristics of the water at intermittent times throughout the day.

I United States Patent 1111 3,589,197

[72} Inventor Fred L. Brooks, Sr. 3,412,612 11/1968 Carr 73/421 9727Bergin Road Howell Michi48843 Primary ExaminerLouis R. Prince [2] v875'l92 Assistant ExaminerWilliam A. Henry, ll [22] Filed Nov. 10, 1969[45] Patented June 29,1971

[54] CYCLE VACUUM SAMPLER DEVICE 2 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

ABSTRACT: An apparatus for automatically collecting a sam- [52]U.S.Cl... 73/421 R ple f water which is to be analyzed, the deviceincluding a 1/14 vacuum pump, a collecting container for the water, anda [50] Field of Search 73/421, mechanism that includes a relay operatedvalve the relay 4215- 425-41 421 B being activated through a timerdevice so that a small quantity of water is collected approximatelyevery 20 minutes so that [56] References c after a 24 hour period acomplete water sample for analysis UNITED STATES PATENTS has beenobtained showing characteristics of the water at in- 3,362,222 1/1968Johnson et al 73/421 X termittent times throughout the day.

CYCLE VACUUM SAMPLER DEVICE This invention relates to instruments forcollecting water for analyzation thereof.

It is therefore the main purpose of this invention to provide a watersample collecting device for use particularly in a waste water treatmentplant.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the typedescribed, which will pick up a small quantity of water approximatelyevery 20 minutes within a 24 hour period in order that a gallon of mixedsamples may be collected for testmg.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water sample collectingdevice which will operate on a self-contained battery when used forstreams and the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a water samplecollecting device which will have a minimum amount of parts and will beeasy to clean and will allow the tubes to drain after use.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a cycle vacuumsampler device which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture,rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will become readily evident upon a study of thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

The drawing is the sole view of the present invention.

According to this invention, a water sample collecting device is shownto include a rectangular housing 11 in which is secured fixedly a shelf12, upon which is secured a vacuum pump 13 having a line 14.. The vacuumline 14 extends into the upper portion of a water sample container.

Extending through and into container 15 is a tube 16 which is for thepurpose of picking up the water that is to be sampled. A tube 17 alsoextends through shelf 12 and into container 15 and is coupled to aflexible plastic tube 18 which serves as valve means for tube 17 whenrod 19 of timer 20 depresses plastic tube 18.

An off switch 21 is provided so that device 10 may be shut off, and abattery 22 rests within housing 11 and allows complete mobility ofdevice 10.

A relay 23 is also carried within housing 11 for a purpose whichhereinafter will be described. A power line 24 is also included indevice 10 in order that it may operate off an external power source.

Device 10 is connected to an external power or is switched to batteryplate. Switch 21 is turned on and the timer 20 activated whereupon timer20 will by means of rod 19, press against the plastic tube 18 thusclosing it. When switch 21 is closed vacuum pump 13 is also activatedand will pump air from container 15 and tube 17 being closed by means ofthe plastic tube 18 will cause water to travel upward through tube 16into sample container. When the water level reaches the electrode 25within container 15, which is adjustable, the current then flows througha relay which is in the vacuum sample container thus turning off vacuumpump 13, as timer 20 progresses through its time cycle.

When timer 20 reaches a predetermined point, the power is turned off andplastic tube 18 retains its normal open position thus letting container15 drain.

What I now claim is:

1. An automatic water sample collecting device comprising incombination, a portable housing, a self-contained battery supply carriedwithin said housing for the remote operation thereof, a vacuum pumpcarried within said housing providing a vacuum means for creating adifferential in pressure in order to cause water to be drawn into awater tank carried within said housing, said water tank providing meansfor water to be held, atimer carried within said housing, a flexibletube in conjunction with a rod extending from said timer comprising avalve, and a relay also carried within said housing providing for theautomatic shutoff of said device, switch means carried by said deviceproviding for the operation of said vacuum pump, said vacuum pump havmglme means connected to said water tank, said vacuum pump serving tocreate said differential in pressure in order that water may enter saidflexible tube which extends to said water tank, said timer having apreset cycle causing said rod extending from said timer to depress saidflexible plastic tube forming said valve means within a second tubeextending into said water tank, said second tube forming a drain meanswhen said valve is opened after each cycle of operation and waterentering said water tank reaching a predetermined level governed by theadjustment of an electrode within said water tank, said electrodecausing said relay to close, thus shutting off vacuum operation of saidvacuum pump automatically.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said timer of saiddevice when reaching its predetermined cycle end also switches off saidpower supply simultaneously when said plastic tube forming valve meansis open in order to allow said container to drain,

1. An automatic water sample collecting device comprising incombination, a portable housing, a self-contained battery supply carriedwithin said housing for the remote operation thereof, a vacuum pumpcarried within said housing providing a vacuum means for creating adifferential in pressure in order to cause water to be drawn into awater tank carried within said housing, said water tank providing meansfor water to be held, a timer carried within said housing, a flexibletube in conjunction with a rod extending from said timer comprising avalve, and a relay also carried within said housing providing for theautomatic shutoff of said device, switch means carried by said deviceproviding for the operation of said vacuum pump, said vacuum pump havingline means connected to said water tank, said vacuum pump serving tocreate said differential in pressure in order that water may enter saidflexible tube which extends to said water tank, said timer having apreset cycle causing said rod extending from said timer to depress saidflexible plastic tube forming said valve means within a second tubeextending into said water tank, said second tube forming a drain meanswhen said valve is opened after each cycle of operation and waterentering said water tank reaching a predetermined level governed by theadjustment of an electrode within said water tank, said electrodecausing said relay to close, thus shutting off vacuum operation of saidvacuum pump automatically.
 2. The combination according to claim 1,wherein said timer of said device when reaching its predetermined cycleend also switches off said power supply simultaneously when said plastictube forming valve means is open in order to allow said container todrain.